The run home: Dandenong Stingrays

DANDENONG Stingrays are without a doubt the premiership favourites and benchmark team of the competition. With just the one loss – a narrow defeat at the hands of Oakleigh Chargers – the Stingrays have the strongest attack and stingiest defence, and a massive 17 players who will test at various combines in October. They have already locked up the minor premiership with a whopping 62 per cent more than second placed Gippsland Power.

The Dandenong Stingrays have two absolute crackers in the final fortnight which will give draft watchers a great idea of where they stand in the premiership race. If there was any doubt over their premiership credentials, then two wins against second and third on the table – at full strength – should just about erase any concerns. They have the ideal preparation leading into finals – two finals-like games, and not having to worry about dropping top spot. They will have a week off during Wildcard Round and are likely to face Northern Knights, GWV Rebels or Geelong Falcons in the elimination final. The Stingrays have the best tall division in the league with Bailey Williams and Riley Bowman leading the way, while Bailey Schmidt and Stephen Cumming are other talls who have kicked bags of goals this season. They have a great combination of skill, speed and strength in the midfield, with Toby Bedford, Zac Foot and Will Hamill those who have attracted the most interest. With 17 players in the eyes of AFL scouts, it is hard not to imagine them going deep into September.